Wear on surf bootie sole

[ArneB]

Every season I have to buy new surf booties because I get wear / small holes on the sole.
I guess this happens from walking and rubbing against the foot pads.

I bit annoying because the booties are usually completely fine besides the sole.

Tried to apply Aquasure on the sole, but it won't stick.

Does anybody have any ideas on how to prevent wear on the sole?
Maybe some special kind of glue?

Cheers

[sflinux]

Switch to neoprene socks, then wear street shoes over them (or wake shoes if you can afford them). The neoprene socks are for warmth and prevent your feet from getting blisters. I still wear out the neoprene socks every year, but not having blisters is worth it. Avoid leather shoes. Look for shoes that have stitched seams where they meet the sole. Look for shoes with good tread and a good insole.
I was lucky to get 6 months of casual use out of a surf booty. With street shoes, it is the sole glue that fails never the sole.
p.s. avoid glue to try to keep a street shoe togther, rubber cement works better.

[rogue_kiteboarder]

https://kiteboarding.com/proddetail.asp ... hoes_25_is

These have Kevlar in the sole.

[Slappysan]

I buy $10 knock off crocs 2 sizes too big and wear them over my booties until I'm about to hit the water. The still wont last forever, but they will last a lot longer.

[Matteo V]

How are you prepping the sole before you apply Aquaseal?

I would acetone it, then sandpaper it, then apply the Aquaseal. But I have never really heard that Aquaseal does not stick.


Also, have you tried to use the Aquaseal as a glue to hold down another piece of tread to the bottom surface??

[ArneB]

Tried the neoprene socks with street shoes today, and it worked really well! Thanks for the tip, much appreciated

@ Matteo - I did degrease before applying aquaseal. It seems not to stick very well to hard/solid rubber

[halloi]

hey arne,

seems like you found a solution but wanted add my 2 cents ; )
I bought surf specific booties after having used scuba diving booties for the past years (surfing, kiting, climbing around on sharp reefs, walking, etc... ) and immediately noticed that the surf booties are really flimsy... I see myself wearing through them in no time...

also, diving booties are around 20 bucks and my surf booties were 55

pics to compare:

suba


surf



all the best,
Constantin

[badgb21]

I've worn wet shoes for over 25 years and haven't suffered from what you describe. Yes I get some sharp shell cuts, but it's usually the pattern that wears so much that they become slippery. More noticeable on a windsurf board.
I've been a fan of Neil Pryde shoes as I like the fit.
Even if the pattern hasn't worn after about 18 months or so I cant stand the stink they make. I clean them with all kinds of anti bacterial stuff but it only lasts a short while. Makes my whole car stink.
This summer I was getting itchy foot soles, I changed a 2 year old pair of wet shoes and the itching went!

I don't understand why the shoes stink up so bad! My wet suit is fine and I rinse both after each session.

Are your foot pads particularly abrasive? Do you walk far on hard surfaces with them?

[scottnorby]

try freezing your booties....and suit......doesn't always work but I have surfed for over 30 years and many of my nylon covered booties would stink from bacteria---in the nylon and the plush interior.
Bacteria cannot stand certain cold temps......
throw them in a plastic bag and freeze them.

[badgb21]

I’ll give it a go next time. Can only imagine my wife’s reaction!